Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Roman Myrtle
Roman myrtle, also called twisted myrtle, is a slow-growing evergreen shrub with twisting stems and dense, dark green leaves that smell spicy when brushed. Small white flowers open in spring, followed by blue-black berries.
It handles Phoenix heat, takes shearing into hedges or topiary, and needs little water once rooted. Give it full sun and soil that drains well.
Best for: formal hedges, topiary, sculptural accents, and patio pots in full sun.
It responds well to shearing and can be clipped into a formal hedge. Plant it 4 feet apart for a tight row.
Its twisting branches make it a striking specimen. Trim it in midwinter to open up the inside and show the form.
It grows slowly and stays about 6 to 8 feet, so it suits small gardens and large patio pots.
Too much water and very alkaline, wet soil turn the leaves yellow. Plant it where water drains away and water deeply but not often.
- Hedge row4 ft apart
- Spaced accents6 ft apart
Water deeply but not often once it is rooted. It is drought tolerant, and too much water yellows the leaves. Let the soil dry between waterings.
Trim it in midwinter to shape it and show the twisted branches. It also takes shearing into hedges and topiary.
Yellow leaves come from too much water or very alkaline, wet soil. Water less often and check that the soil drains.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
What is the difference between Roman myrtle and twisted myrtle?
They are the same plant, Myrtus communis Boetica. The twisted stems and leaves give it both names.
How big does Roman myrtle get?
It grows slowly to about 6 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. Shear it to keep it smaller.
Can I shear Roman myrtle into a hedge?
Yes. It responds well to any pruning and can be sheared into hedges and formal shapes. Plant it 4 feet apart for a hedge.
When should I prune Roman myrtle?
Midwinter is the best time for a shaping trim. Thin inner branches to show off the twisted form.
How often should I water Roman myrtle?
Once rooted, water deeply but not often. It is drought tolerant, and too much water yellows the leaves.
Why are my myrtle leaves turning yellow?
Yellow leaves usually mean too much water or very alkaline, wet soil. Water less often and make sure the soil drains.
Is Roman myrtle fragrant?
Yes. The leaves smell spicy when brushed or crushed, and the small white flowers are fragrant too. Plant it near a walk where you brush past it.
How cold hardy is Roman myrtle?
It is rated to about 15°F, so it handles a normal Valley winter without cover.
Does Roman myrtle take full sun?
Yes. It handles Phoenix heat and full sun, and it also grows in part sun.
Roman Myrtle for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Roman myrtle is a tough, fragrant evergreen for hedges and accents in the Valley. Its twisted stems give it a sculpted look. This page covers size, spacing, watering, pruning and yellow leaves.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
Roman myrtle in Phoenix
Roman myrtle is a slow, fragrant evergreen shrub with twisted stems. It handles Valley heat and needs little water once rooted.
Twisted myrtle for hedges
It responds well to shearing and can be clipped into hedges, topiary and formal shapes.
How far apart to plant Roman myrtle
Plant it 4 feet apart for a hedge and 6 feet apart for spaced accents.
Watering Roman myrtle
Water deeply but not often once rooted. Too much water yellows the leaves.
When to prune Roman myrtle
Midwinter is the best time to trim and show off the twisted branches.
Roman myrtle size
It grows slowly to about 6 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide.
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